He glanced through the window of the diner, hoping to shuffle through without notice, as he had a few months before. Of course, Lorelai sat on one of the stools at the counter, and of course, Luke was engrossed in conversation with her. So much for laying low, he thought to himself.

He opened the door, and quickly walked to the counter. "I'm not paying for a motel, so I'm staying with you." Without giving either of them a chance to respond, he turned and bolted up the stairs to the apartment.

"Liar." He heard Lorelai shout at Luke just before closing the front door behind him.

...

Jess pushed open the door of the apartment, and threw his duffle on the floor. The apartment looked exactly the same as it had when he last left. Not that he had expected Luke to have made any drastic changes, but he had fully expected there to have been some sign that Luke had been married and divorced since the last time he had visited.

He had barely enough time to sit before Luke stormed up behind him. "I didn't think you were coming."

"Yeah, well I changed my mind."

"I'm glad you're here."

"I'm sure you're the only one."

"Has it ever occurred to you that people here give you exactly what you give them? When was the last time you said anything bordering on nice to anyone, Miss Patty, Babette or Kirk?"

"I suggested a book for Kirk to read."

"So that he would leave the diner."

"I cleaned Lorelai's gutters."

"Because she paid you. I can understand being standoffish to Taylor, because...well, he's Taylor. But you, you walk around with this chip on your shoulder, thinking that everyone should treat you better than you treat them. That's not how it works."

"Thanks, Dr. Phil." Jess mocked, crossing the room as he fiddled with his watch band. "Is that your dinner?"

Luke sits down at the small table, with his ledger and some sort of unrecognizable food. "Couldn't get my usual table at Le Circue."

"Right." He strolled past the table and opened the refrigerator. "I wasn't sure what food I could eat."

"Eat what you like. Start with the expired stuff."

"Maybe I'll go out."

"I'm hearing a good buzz about a chow mein sandwich."

Jess picked up his coat, noticing the boombox sitting on the table across from Luke.

"What's on the playlist these days? I'm guess Jethro Tull or Jethro Tull." Jess reached over to press play.

Luke jumped up from his chair and quickly swatted Jess' hand away. "Just stay away from that."

"What's with you?"

"Never mind. Look, eat my food, use my shower. Just don't go poking around my stuff."

Jess rolls his eyes and heads toward the door. "Mr. Sensitive."

"Whatever. Enjoy your evening."

"Don't wait up."

"Jess Mariano!" Jess looked up from his magazine to find Lane plodding across the town square towards him.

"Lane?" Jess answered, puzzled. He and Lane had never been terribly close. For all he knew, she didn't really approve of his relationship with Rory.

"What are you doing here?" Lane demanded.

"My mom's wedding." He answered, squinting his eyes as he looked up at her.

"Oh, right. I knew that." Lane said, sheepishly. "Well still, Rory's not here, so you shouldn't expect to run into her or anything."

"Duly noted."

"Good." She whipped her head around, and marched back out into the town square. Jess hopped up from the bench and called after her, finally catching up with her just before she crossed the street.

"So, I'm assuming that she told you?"

"Yeah, she told me."

"I was beginning to think that she hadn't told anyone."

"Why did you do that, Jess?"

"I wanted her to know how I felt."

"Not that. Why did you leave? If you hadn't left..."

"Go on...If I hadn't left."

"No, I've already said too much."

"How is she?"

"Why should I tell you?"

"Because I just ran after you, looking like quite the idiot might I add. Come on, Lane. Is she okay?"

"She's fine, Jess. She was hurt and confused, but that was months ago. She's over it now."

"Thanks." He knew that he should be glad that she was "fine", but it tore at his heart to hear that "she was over it." "So you said she's not here?"

"She has one more final tomorrow morning. She won't be home until Sunday. Why?"

"No reason." Jess smiled as he walked back to the bench aside the gazebo.

A/N: Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, followed and read this story so far. I really appreciate it. This chapter was a little bit short, but it almost had to be so that I could start the next chapter where I needed to start it. Speaking of the next chapter, for those of you reading this as I update, the next chapter will be posted on Saturday evening. It will be the first chapter in this story with both Jess and Rory. As always, I welcome your feedback. Thanks again for reading!